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Erik ten Hag ‘has asked the heads of Manchester United to make renewed efforts to bring Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona’, with the Dutchman insisting he ‘still lacks quality in the middle of the park’… but the ‘priority’ of Holland international is to be at the Nou Camp
- Manchester United continues to focus on Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong
- The Red Devils agreed a fee for the Barcelona midfielder this summer
- However, De Jong was reluctant to leave the Camp Nou and remained in Spain
- Ten Hag reportedly sees De Jong as crucial to lift United to a higher level
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will try to push the club to make another bid to sign Frenkie de Jong in January, according to reports.
The Red Devils chased the Barcelona midfielder throughout the summer transfer window, but failed to seal the deal.
It appeared that the move was made at some point after United agreed a £63 million fee with Barcelona.
But De Jong’s reluctance to leave the Nou Camp, along with significant complications with the Spanish giant’s finances, including disputes over unpaid wages to the Dutchman, prevented the move from going ahead.
Manchester United will take another step for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong . to contract
De Jong was reportedly unwilling to move to a club that is not in the Champions League, while Ten Hag’s team is playing in the Europa League this season.
However, according to the Spanish outlet Sportthe United boss has asked the club to make another attempt to sign the playmaker in January.
While promising progress has been made by the Red Devils after their disastrous start to the campaign that saw them endure damaging defeats against Brighton and Brentford, Ten Hag believes he lacks quality in midfield.
United boss Erik ten Hag reportedly sees De Jong as a potential difference maker for his team
Despite the signings of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, who have both had brilliant starts at the club, De Jong is seen by Ten Hag as a different type of player – and one he wants.
The report states that De Jong is seen as someone who can improve United’s creativity and control in games – a point that Ten Hag believes will be needed if the club is going to compete for titles again.
But just like in the summer, the battle for Ten Hag, which De Jong managed at Ajax, will convince the midfielder to leave Barcelona.
Finances are not considered a problem, but De Jong has previously indicated that he is reluctant to leave the Catalan giants.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both joined the club in the summer and have started their careers at Old Trafford well, but Dutch midfielder De Jong is seen as a different type of player
United’s hopes will be sparked by the fact that Barcelona will almost certainly be knocked out of the Champions League.
Likewise, with De Jong’s lack of playing time – the Dutchman has only made five starts in all competitions this season so far, the Red Devils will seize their opportunities to convince the midfielder to make the switch.
Nevertheless, De Jong is expected to stay at the club at least until the summer, while Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also likely to vie with United for his signature.